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Aurora's Breast Center

Great strides are being made in the early detection and treatment of breast cancer, and the Breast Center at Aurora BayCare Medical Center is helping lead the way. From maintaining breast health to treating breast disease, the Center's services meet the unique needs of each woman.

As part of The Women's Center, we understand the sensitive and significant nature of breast health. We provide you with all the information you need to make the best decisions possible after being diagnosed with breast cancer.

Our services include a broad range of traditional and advanced options. While treating breast disease is our primary concern, we never forget the emotional effects it has on you and your family.

Personalized care

We utilize a team approach to achieve the most individualized plan of care for your condition. Our team includes a fellowship-trained breast surgeon, a board-certified gynecologic surgeon, nurse practitioner, medical and radiation oncologists, four radiologists that are dedicated to reading results for the breast center a certified breast coordinator and other skilled staff members.

Our team also serves as your access point to advanced research protocols.

Personal Breast Care Coordinators

While you may have a team of experts caring for you, we understand the sensitive and complex nature of breast health and disease. Many women feel overwhelmed with the decisions that must be made after a breast cancer diagnosis. That's why we support our patients by providing a personal Breast Care Coordinator, a registered nurse specially trained in the area of breast cancer. The Coordinator provides support every step of the way by acting as an advocate and educator. She also helps to coordinate patient care and ensure that all concerns are thoroughly addressed.

Advanced diagnostics

Breast Imaging -- Imaging is an important component used to diagnose breast cancer and to evaluate the stage and extent of breast disease. Three major types of imaging are used at the comprehensive Breast Center:

  • Mammography
  • Ultrasonography
  • Breast MRI

Breast biopsy -- After imaging, the decision may be made to confirm suspected breast disease with a tissue biopsy. During a biopsy, a radiologist or surgeon samples a portion or all of the suspicious tissue as well as the lymph nodes. A pathologist examines the tissue sample for cancer cells and makes the final diagnosis.

Breast MRI -- MRI can be used to screen women with a hereditary risk of developing breast cancer, evaluate indeterminate mammograms or for women who have dense breasts or scar tissue in which a mammogram may be unclear. Breast MRI is also helpful in determining the extent, size and distribution of newly diagnosed breast cancer, as well as in predicting the presence of cancer in the appropriate breast before definitive surgery.

High risk services

If you are at an elevated risk for breast cancer, you do not have to face this frightening prospect alone. Discovering that you are at risk does not necessarily mean cancer is the inevitable outcome. There are things you can do now to decrease your risk.

Genetic testing -- Research has shown that some women have a hereditary predisposition to cancer, which can be passed from generation to generation. In recent years, several of these hereditary genes have been identified. We offer counseling and testing for those women who are at high risk to determine if there is a mutation in these genes.

Ductoscopy -- Ductoscopy is offered when women present with abnormal nipple discharge. It involves the insertion of a very small video scope to actually look inside a woman's breast duct. If an abnormality is confirmed, the duct can be surgically removed. The procedure also helps direct and determine the amount of diseased tissue that must be removed during biopsy.

Medical treatment of breast cancer

Surgical options
Surgery is the cornerstone of breast cancer management. Some women may have a lumpectomy/partial mastectomy, which removes only the diseased tissue and a safe margin of tissue surrounding the tumor. Other women may need to have a total mastectomy.

But before surgery, our surgeons determine the invasiveness of the breast cancer by sampling the lymph nodes. Because the lymph nodes are under the armpit and near the breast, the spread of cancer can be detected by examining them. Until recently, the standard procedure was to remove all of the lymph nodes. However, this procedure often resulted in a painful swelling of the arm called lymphedema.

A standard procedure called Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy is performed at the center. This involves the removal of the first lymph node(s) — called the sentinel node(s) — which is typically the first node(s) into which cancer spreads. Research has shown that if this node is disease-free, then the remaining nodes should be free of cancer as well. This information is invaluable when determining the best course of treatment.

Medical & radiation oncology/Vince Lombardi Cancer Clinic
Often a combination of treatments is recommended. Surgery and radiation therapy are considered local treatments since they are used to remove cancer cells in a specific area. Chemotherapy and anti-estrogen therapy destroy cancer cells that may have migrated beyond the original site. Some treatments may be given before surgery and others may continue for several months after surgery.

Breast reconstruction
Breast reconstruction is an option for women undergoing surgical treatment for breast cancer. Breast reconstruction can be performed immediately after the mastectomy or at a later date. There are many options for women, from breast implants to a more complex flap procedure that utilizes the patient's own tissue to reconstruct a very natural looking breast. A consultation with a reconstruction surgeon will help to determine the best choice of options.

The Cancer Rehabilitation Center
Specialists in cancer rehabilitation help to relieve the symptoms of cancer and plastic surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. If you are having breast surgery, our licensed physical and occupational therapists will meet with you prior to surgery to provide education and exercises that will speed recovery surgery. After surgery, the cancer rehabilitation specialists will use special techniques and extensive education to relieve the symptoms of lymphedema (swelling), fatigue and pain, and will teach you to become independent at managing these symptoms. Our experts design individual programs to restore patients' flexibility, strength, endurance and function.

Through comprehensive examination and rehabilitation post-treatment, our cancer rehabilitation specialists will help you to safely resume daily activities, both at home and at work.

Beyond medical treatment

Medical treatment is only one aspect of treating breast disease. Having a support system to help you cope with your illness and provide you and your family with emotional support is invaluable.

Follow-up & support
Life goes on after breast cancer treatment. We provide the same level of support after treatment as we do during your treatment. Your physicians and breast care coordinator are available to assist with any problems. Regular follow-up appointments will be scheduled and various tests will be performed to assure that there has not been a recurrence of your cancer.

Decision support
We have a resource center on-site to help you learn about breast health and disease, diagnostic procedures and treatment options. There is also computer access to the National Cancer Institute which provides a wealth of information about cancer and clinical research.
If you have a breast health concern or are diagnosed with cancer, our goal is for you to feel confident that you have made well-informed decisions about your care.

Contact information

To make an appointment or for more information on Aurora's Breast Center at Aurora BayCare Medical Center please call (920) 288-8480.

 

 



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